C-SPAN's founding CEO to depart after 34 years

Brian Lamb, who helped found the public-affairs cable network C-SPAN in 1978 and has been its CEO ever since, will step down at the end of the month, C-SPAN said Sunday.

Lamb, 70, is handing the reins to two co-CEOs, Rob Kennedy and Susan Swain, C-SPAN said. He will remain chairman of the board and take on the new title of executive chairman.

C-SPAN said the leadership transition has been years in the making. Kennedy, 55, and Swain, 57, have been co-presidents of the company since 2006. Swain joined C-SPAN in 1982, and Kennedy joined in 1987.

Washington-based C-SPAN is a nonprofit created and funded by cable- and satellite-TV companies. It employs 275 people.